Hepatic sclerosis

This code represents the hardening of the liver due to excessive fibrous connective tissue, which can impair liver function. It signifies a more advanced stage of liver scarring than simple fibrosis, often leading to portal hypertension and liver failure.

Use this code when documentation explicitly states "hepatic sclerosis" or "sclerosis of the liver." This diagnosis is typically made based on liver biopsy findings, imaging studies, and clinical signs of advanced liver disease. It often follows chronic liver injury from various etiologies.

• Differentiate from "hepatic fibrosis" (K74.0) which represents an earlier stage of scarring.
• Always code the underlying cause of the hepatic sclerosis, if known and documented, as a primary diagnosis.
• Consider additional codes for complications such as ascites (R18.8), esophageal varices (I85.00-I85.91), or hepatic encephalopathy (K72.90-K72.91).